We, the undersigned individuals and organizations, are writing to protest the arbitrary detention of Milagro Sala, the founder and leader of the Túpac Amaru Neighborhood Association (known popularly as the Túpac) in San Salvador in the province of Jujuy. Ms. Sala was detained on January 16, 2016 after refusing to vacate a public plaza in San Salvador which historically has been an accepted form of protest.

Currently jailed in a women’s prison 60 miles from her home, Sala is facing harsh and inhuman conditions, including the denial of heat and hot water. Twice she has resorted to a hunger strike to call attention to her plight and that of her sister inmates.

We protest the complicity of Jujuy Governor Gerardo Morales and President Mauricio Macri in the unsubstantiated charges that Ms. Sala enriched herself by misappropriating government funds. The only person to assert this is a state legislator, Mabel Balconte. She recanted, declaring her false charges were made under threat of harm to her family by Governor Morales.

The political persecution of the Túpac is not limited to the detention of Milagro Sala. Scores of other members of this community organization have had their homes broken into, have been harshly interrogated, and have been insulted with racial and homophobic slurs.

Organized 16 years ago in response to conditions of poverty, hunger and unemployment intensified by neoliberal policies, the Túpac provided jobs, built schools, opened medical clinics and distributed land to workers. Today, these accomplishments have been reversed. Social services have ended. Schools remain open but salaries have been cut and there is widespread concern that teachers will be fired. School support staff is working without pay. And 20,000 workers have lost their jobs at the hands of the Jujuy provincial governor and the white elite that supports him.

We forcefully protest the jailing of Sala’s two lawyers last April, Luiz Paz and Alberto Badillo. Without a legal team to challenge her detention, Sala will never achieve justice.

We call on you as the representative of the Republic of Argentina here in the United States to convey our protest to President Mauricio Macri and Governor Gerardo Morales. Please let them know that we will do everything in our power to organize here and internationally to demand the immediate release of Milagro Sala and all those facing state repression in Argentina. Until these political prisoners are freed, we will hold you and the government you represent responsible for their safety and welfare.